Protecting and sterilizing USB memory keys
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- PlutoniumLounger
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Protecting and sterilizing USB memory keys
I am making increasing use of USB memory keys to provide PDF files to other parties. I am frightened of providing a document to, say, my friends at The Eaton Chelsea Hotel and being told that their anti-wossit software has detected a virus or a root-kit virus or one of the other scary infractions going around.
I keep Windows Defender pretty well up to date.
What application other than Windows Defender can provide me with peace of mind when “trafficking” in USB memory keys?
I do not want to damage my already-miniscule professional reputation by introducing damaging software to friends and colleagues.
It would be nice, too, to subject the memory key after it had been used on another computer!
P.SA. I am aware of this Windows Defender page on command-line formats.
Thanks in Advance
Chris
I keep Windows Defender pretty well up to date.
What application other than Windows Defender can provide me with peace of mind when “trafficking” in USB memory keys?
I do not want to damage my already-miniscule professional reputation by introducing damaging software to friends and colleagues.
It would be nice, too, to subject the memory key after it had been used on another computer!
P.SA. I am aware of this Windows Defender page on command-line formats.
Thanks in Advance
Chris
He who plants a seed, plants life.
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- Administrator
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Re: Protecting and sterilizing USB memory keys
Malwarebytes (https://www.malwarebytes.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;) can scan a drive, a folder or individual files. The free version is sufficient.
Best wishes,
Hans
Hans
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- cheese lizard
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Re: Protecting and sterilizing USB memory keys
I protect my system with Windows Defender, MalwareBytes, and Scotty looks after my startup security among other stuff.
I also pay special attention to my hosts file. I regularly add items to it, such as:
127.0.0.1 clicksor.com
127.0.0.1 ads.clicksor.com
127.0.0.1 ads.juicyads.com
127.0.0.1 juicyads.com
Which means annoying item requests, in this sample ads or click trackers, get served sent to the land of never-never.
A simple, cheap and effective way to stop all sorts of things getting through to my computers.
I also pay special attention to my hosts file. I regularly add items to it, such as:
127.0.0.1 clicksor.com
127.0.0.1 ads.clicksor.com
127.0.0.1 ads.juicyads.com
127.0.0.1 juicyads.com
Which means annoying item requests, in this sample ads or click trackers, get served sent to the land of never-never.
A simple, cheap and effective way to stop all sorts of things getting through to my computers.
Cheers, Claude.
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- Administrator
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Re: Protecting and sterilizing USB memory keys
Reformat your USB key whenever you get it back from someone else. That won't remove all possible malware, but it certainly helps to reduce the attack surface.
StuartR
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- PlutoniumLounger
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Re: Protecting and sterilizing USB memory keys
Thanks Hans. I have d/l the free version.HansV wrote:Malwarebytes (https://www.malwarebytes.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;) can scan a drive, a folder or individual files. The free version is sufficient.
Cheers
Chris
He who plants a seed, plants life.
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- PlutoniumLounger
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Re: Protecting and sterilizing USB memory keys
Thanks Suart. I usually do that, also reformat before loading it for export.StuartR wrote:Reformat your USB key whenever you get it back from someone else. That won't remove all possible malware, but it certainly helps to reduce the attack surface.
About six years ago a memory key was returnred and couldn't be reformatted. I tried several software tricks and finally disabled the virus with a pair of pliers, a hammer, and a broad-bladed flat-blade screwdriver.
Cheers
Chris
He who plants a seed, plants life.
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- PlutoniumLounger
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Re: Protecting and sterilizing USB memory keys
Thanks Claude.Claude wrote:... I regularly add items to it, such as: ...
In a few days time I shall pluck up enough courage to ask if you might post your entire Hosts file for my perusal.
Otherwise I shall seek contributions from other Lounge Members as a co-operative effort (grin!)
Cheers and Thanks
Chris
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Re: Protecting and sterilizing USB memory keys
Submerging it in Coca Cola for 24 hours would probably have worked too...
Best wishes,
Hans
Hans
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- PlutoniumLounger
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Re: Protecting and sterilizing USB memory keys
Hans, do you have any idea how much forty-four gallons of Coca-Cola Costs?HansV wrote:Submerging it in Coca Cola for 24 hours would probably have worked too...
Cheers
Chris
He who plants a seed, plants life.
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Re: Protecting and sterilizing USB memory keys
How many USB sticks did you want to process simultaneously?
Best wishes,
Hans
Hans
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- PlutoniumLounger
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Re: Protecting and sterilizing USB memory keys
Oh!HansV wrote:How many USB sticks did you want to process simultaneously?
The USB stick?
In that case a 250ml can of coke should be enough, right?
Cheers
Chris
He who plants a seed, plants life.
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Re: Protecting and sterilizing USB memory keys
What else were you thinking of dissolving? Yourself?
Best wishes,
Hans
Hans
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- 5StarLounger
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Re: Protecting and sterilizing USB memory keys
This site keeps a very comprehensive (and large) HOSTS file updated with ad and malware sites blocked.ChrisGreaves wrote:Thanks Claude.Claude wrote:... I regularly add items to it, such as: ...
In a few days time I shall pluck up enough courage to ask if you might post your entire Hosts file for my perusal.
Otherwise I shall seek contributions from other Lounge Members as a co-operative effort (grin!)
Cheers and Thanks
Chris
Hasn't been updated since April 15th though. Maybe the US tax man got him?
PJ in (usually sunny) FL
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- PlutoniumLounger
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Re: Protecting and sterilizing USB memory keys
I aplogise Hans.HansV wrote:What else were you thinking of dissolving? Yourself?
I thought that you were joking.
Seriously? Coca Cola?
Is it acidic enough to dissolve circuitry in a USB key?
(You just KNOW I'm going to try it Real Soon Now)
Cheers
Chris
He who plants a seed, plants life.
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- PlutoniumLounger
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Re: Protecting and sterilizing USB memory keys
Thanks Claude.PJ_in_FL wrote:This site keeps a very comprehensive (and large) HOSTS file updated with ad and malware sites blocked. Hasn't been updated since April 15th though. Maybe the US tax man got him?
I have grabbed both the web page and the hosts.zip file.
Cheers
Chris
He who plants a seed, plants life.
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Re: Protecting and sterilizing USB memory keys
No, not really. It's one of those urban legends/internet memes that you can dissolve anything in Coca Cola.ChrisGreaves wrote:Seriously? Coca Cola?
Is it acidic enough to dissolve circuitry in a USB key?
Best wishes,
Hans
Hans
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- PlutoniumLounger
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Re: Protecting and sterilizing USB memory keys
The Wiki page is especially encouraging.Claude wrote: ...I also pay special attention to my hosts file.
Active editing and use of the Hosts file makes me feel as if I am happily downgrading my system back to pre-1983 ARPANET days (grin!)
Cheers
Chris
He who plants a seed, plants life.
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Re: Protecting and sterilizing USB memory keys
Keep in mind that having a large HOSTS file will have a negative impact on your browser speed.
I used Spybot S&D a long time ago; it maintained a huge HOSTS file (many thousands of lines). When I ditched it (for other reasons), surfing became noticeably faster.
I used Spybot S&D a long time ago; it maintained a huge HOSTS file (many thousands of lines). When I ditched it (for other reasons), surfing became noticeably faster.
Best wishes,
Hans
Hans